The New York Rangers selected left wing Alexis Lafreniere of the QMJHL's Rimouski Oceanic with the first pick in the 2020 NHL draft last night. The Rangers had never previously selected with the first overall pick in the entry draft era, which began in 1979.
Lafreniere, who will turn 19 on Sunday, was the consensus top prospect in this draft class after putting together a remarkable and decorated season between his efforts with Rimouski in a shortened season and for Team Canada at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. He led the QMJHL in scoring with 112 points in just 52 games, earning league MVP honors for the second straight season.
Lafreniere was named the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year for the second straight season, joining Sidney Crosby as the only other player to win that award twice. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound winger overcame a mid-tournament injury to lead Canada to the gold medal at the World Junior Championship, scoring 10 points in just five games on the way to earning MVP honors.
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Source: ESPN